There’s no better stage to say goodbye. Giorgio Chiellini’s long international career is coming to end tomorrow at Wembley, the stadium where he experienced the biggest satisfaction of his sporting career as he became a European Champion last summer. It’ll be the last chapter of a wonderful tale, one which began 22 years ago in Wellingborough, England, when Italy U15s took on their English counterparts in a friendly.

After making 71 appearances in the National Team youth setup, a period which saw him win the 2003 European Under-19 Championship in Liechtenstein and a bronze medal with the U21s at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, he made his debut under Marcello Lippi in a friendly against Finland in Messina. There have been many firsts since then: against Scotland on 26 March 2005, he made his first start; against the Faroe Islands on 21 November 2007, he scored his first goal; against France on 14 November 2012, he captained his country for the first time. Tomorrow evening, he’ll make his 117th Azzurri appearance, joining Daniele De Rossi in fourth place in the all-time ranking.

Before the Finalissima kicks off, the FIGC will pay tribute to Chiellini with a pre-match ceremony: President Gabriele Gravina will present him with a trophy to acknowledge his extraordinary career with the National Team. It’ll be an emotional farewell alongside his teammates, the many Argentine champions and the fans, who have always shown him their affection.

The celebration will continue in Rome, the city to which the European Championship trophy returned 53 years on from the previous triumph at the Olimpico in 1968. At Piazza della Repubblica, thanks to an initiative promoted by the FIGC and Urban vision (a leading media company in sponsored restorations and out-of-home advertising), the Captain’s best moments in the Azzurri shirt will be broadcast on a giant LED screen.